Bupivacaine modulates the apoptosis and ferroptosis in bladder cancer via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway

Red ginseng polysaccharide promotes ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells by inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway through down-regulation of AQP3

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effect of red ginseng polysaccharide (RGP) on gastric cancer (GC) development and explore its mechanism.

METHODS

GC cell lines AGS were treated with varying concentrations of RGP (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL). AGS cells treated with 200 μg/mL RGP were transfected with aquaporin 3 (AQP3) overexpression vector. Cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of AQP3. The levels of Fe2+, malondialdehyde, and lactate dehydrogenase were measured using their respective detection kits, and the reactive oxygen species levels was determined by probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The expression of ferroptosis-related protein and PI3K/Akt pathway-related protein were assessed by western blot. In vivo experiments in nude mice were performed and the mice were divided into four groups (n = 5/group) which gavage administrated with 150 mg/kg normal saline, and 75, 150, 300 mg/kg RGP, respectively. Their tumor weight and volume were recorded.

RESULTS

RGP treatment effectively inhibited the proliferation and viability of AGS cells in a dosage-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. It induced ferroptosis in AGS cells, as well as inhibiting the expression of PI3K/Akt-related proteins. AQP3 overexpression could reversed the effect of RGP treatment on ferroptosis. Confirmatory in vivo experiments showed that RGP could reduce the growth of implanted tumor, with increased RGP concentration resulting in greater tumor inhibitory effects.

CONCLUSION

RGP might have therapeutic potential against GC, effectively inhibiting the proliferation and viability of AGS cells.

Exploring the mechanism of fraxetin against acute myeloid leukemia through cell experiments and network pharmacology

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown that fraxetin has antitumor activity in a variety of tumors, but its role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-AML effect of fraxetin through cell experiments and network pharmacology analysis.

METHODS

The inhibitory and apoptotic effects of fraxetin on AML cells were determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry experiments. Potential targets of fraxetin and AML-related targets were screened using public databases. PPI network, GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed to predict the hub targets and signaling pathways by which fraxetin alleviates AML. Molecular docking was used to determine the fraxetin binding sites on hub targets. Using the GEPIA database, the expression of hub targets was analyzed in relation to the overall survival of AML patients.

RESULTS

Cell experiments showed that fraxetin inhibits AML cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. To explore the potential mechanism of fraxetin, 29 shared targets of fraxetin and AML were obtained through screening online public databases. Among them, AKT1, TNF, SRC, etc., are related to AML cell apoptosis. The expression levels of SRC, NOS3, VAV1, LYN, and PTGS1 were associated with the overall survival of AML patients (p value < 0.05). The enrichment analysis results identified the main pathways, namely, focal adhesion and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, that affected the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells. The analysis of hub targets of the PPI network showed that AKT1, TNF, CTNNB1, etc., were hub targets, which were related to the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells. The results of molecular docking showed that the hub targets had good binding with fraxetin.

CONCLUSION

Fraxetin may inhibit AML cell proliferation and induce AML cell apoptosis through multiple targets, such as AKT1, SRC, and EGFR, and multiple pathways, such as focal adhesion and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

Juglone triggers apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer through the reactive oxygen species -mediated PI3K/Akt pathway

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and oxidative stress plays a crucial role in its development. Juglone, a naturally occurring naphthoquinone in J. mandshurica, exhibits significant cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines. However, whether the anticancer activity of juglone is associated with oxidative stress remains unexplored. In this study, mouse Lewis lung cancer (LLC) and human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells were used to explore the anticancer mechanisms of juglone. Juglone inhibited LLC and A549 cells viability, with IC50 values of 10.78 μM and 9.47 μM, respectively, for 24 h, and substantially suppressed the migration and invasion of these two lung cancer cells. Additionally, juglone arrested the cell cycle, induced apoptosis, increased the cleavage of caspase 3 and the protein expression of Bax and Cyt c, and decreased the protein expression of Bcl-2 and caspase-3. Furthermore, juglone treatment considerably increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, but suppressed glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. It also inhibited the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, which was attenuated by 1,3-diCQA (an activator of PI3K/Akt). Moreover, N-acetylcysteine (a ROS scavenger) partially reversed the positive effects of juglone in terms of migration, invasion, ROS production, apoptosis, and PI3K/Akt pathway-associated protein expression. Finally, in tumor-bearing nude mouse models, juglone inhibited tumor growth without any apparent toxicity and significantly induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that juglone triggers apoptosis via the ROS-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway. Therefore, juglone may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of NSCLC.

Brusatol hinders the progression of bladder cancer by Chac1/Nrf2/SLC7A11 pathway

Bladder cancer is a common tumor that impacts the urinary system and marked by a significant fatality rate and an unfavorable prognosis. Promising antineoplastic properties are exhibited by brusatol, which is obtained from the dried ripe fruit of Brucea javanica. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of brusatol on the progression of bladder cancer and uncover the molecular mechanism involved. We used Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation and EdU assays to detect cell numbers, viability and proliferation. We used transwell migration assay to detect cell migration ability. The mechanism of brusatol inhibition of bladder cancer proliferation was studied by flow cytometry and western blotting. It was revealed that brusatol could reduce the viability and proliferation of T24 and 5637 cells. The transwell migration assay revealed that brusatol was able to attenuate the migration of T24 and 5637 cells. We found that treatment with brusatol increased the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and Fe2+, thereby further promoting ferroptosis in T24 and 5637 cells. In addition, treatment with RSL3 (an agonistor of ferroptosis) ferrostatin-1 (a selective inhibitor of ferroptosis) enhanced or reversed the brusatol-induced inhibition. In vivo, treatment with brusatol significantly suppressed the tumor growth in nude mice. Mechanistically, brusatol induced ferroptosis by upregulating the expression of ChaC glutathione-specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase (Chac1) and decreasing the expression of SLC7A11 and Nrf2 in T24 and 5637 cells. To summarize, the findings of this research demonstrated that brusatol hindered the growth of bladder cancer and triggered ferroptosis via the Chac1/Nrf2/SLC7A11 pathway.

Advancing MRI with magnetic nanoparticles: a comprehensive review of translational research and clinical trials

The nexus of advanced technology and medical therapeutics has ushered in a transformative epoch in contemporary medicine. Within this arena, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) emerges as a paramount tool, intertwining the advancements of technology with the art of healing. MRI's pivotal role is evident in its broad applicability, spanning from neurological diseases, soft-tissue and tumour characterization, to many more applications. Though already foundational, aspirations remain to further enhance MRI's capabilities. A significant avenue under exploration is the incorporation of innovative nanotechnological contrast agents. Forefront among these are Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), recognized for their adaptability and safety profile. SPION's intrinsic malleability allows them to be tailored for improved biocompatibility, while their functionality is further broadened when equipped with specific targeting molecules. Yet, the path to optimization is not devoid of challenges, from renal clearance concerns to potential side effects stemming from iron overload. This review endeavors to map the intricate journey of SPIONs as MRI contrast agents, offering a chronological perspective of their evolution and deployment. We provide an in-depth current outline of the most representative and impactful pre-clinical and clinical studies centered on the integration of SPIONs in MRI, tracing their trajectory from foundational research to contemporary applications.

Ferroptosis is an effective strategy for cancer therapy

Ferroptosis is a form of intracellular iron-dependent cell death that differs from necrosis, autophagy and apoptosis. Intracellular iron mediates Fenton reaction resulting in lipid peroxidation production, which in turn promotes cell death. Although cancer cell exhibit's ability to escape ferroptosis by multiple pathways such as SLC7A11, GPX4, induction of ferroptosis could inhibit cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In tumor microenvironment, ferroptosis could affect immune cell (T cells, macrophages etc.) activity, which in turn regulates tumor immune escape. In addition, ferroptosis in cancer cells could activate immune cell activity by antigen processing and presentation. Therefore, ferroptosis could be an effective strategy for cancer therapy such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. In this paper, we reviewed the role of ferroptosis on tumor progression and therapy, which may provide a strategy for cancer treatment.

Relationship of mTORC1 and ferroptosis in tumors

Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed death, dependent on iron ions and oxidative stress, with a predominant intracellular form of lipid peroxidation. In recent years, ferroptosis has gained more and more interest of people in the treatment mechanism of targeted tumors. mTOR, always overexpressed in the tumor, and controlling cell growth and metabolic activities, has an important role in both autophagy and ferroptosis. Interestingly, the selective types of autophay plays an important role in promoting ferroptosis, which is related to mTOR and some metabolic pathways (especially in iron and amino acids). In this paper, we list the main mechanisms linking ferroptosis with mTOR signaling pathway and further summarize the current compounds targeting ferroptosis in these ways. There are growing experimental evidences that targeting mTOR and ferroptosis may have effective impact in many tumors, and understanding the mechanisms linking mTOR to ferroptosis could provide a potential therapeutic approach for tumor treatment.

Autophagy flux in bladder cancer: Cell death crosstalk, drug and nanotherapeutics

Autophagy, a self-digestion mechanism, has emerged as a promising target in the realm of cancer therapy, particularly in bladder cancer (BCa), a urological malignancy characterized by dysregulated biological processes contributing to its progression. This highly conserved catabolic mechanism exhibits aberrant activation in pathological events, prominently featured in human cancers. The nuanced role of autophagy in cancer has been unveiled as a double-edged sword, capable of functioning as both a pro-survival and pro-death mechanism in a context-dependent manner. In BCa, dysregulation of autophagy intertwines with cell death mechanisms, wherein pro-survival autophagy impedes apoptosis and ferroptosis, while pro-death autophagy diminishes tumor cell survival. The impact of autophagy on BCa progression is multifaceted, influencing metastasis rates and engaging with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism. Pharmacological modulation of autophagy emerges as a viable strategy to impede BCa progression and augment cell death. Notably, the introduction of nanoparticles for targeted autophagy regulation holds promise as an innovative approach in BCa suppression. This review underscores the intricate interplay of autophagy with cell death pathways and its therapeutic implications in the nuanced landscape of bladder cancer.

ENO1 deletion potentiates ferroptosis and decreases glycolysis in colorectal cancer cells via AKT/STAT3 signaling

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevailing and lethal forms of cancer globally. α-enolase (ENO1) has been well documented to be involved in the progression and drug resistance of CRC. The present study was designed to specify the role of ENO1 in major events during the process of CRC and to introduce its latent functional mechanism. ENO1 expression was determined by western blot analysis. Extracellular acidification rates were assessed using an XF96 extracellular flux analyzer. Glucose uptake, lactic acid production, total iron levels and ferroptosis-related markers were examined with corresponding kits. A dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probe measured intracellular reactive oxygen species content. Western blotting detected the expression of glycolysis- and ferroptosis-related proteins. CCK-8 and EdU staining assays assessed cell proliferation. In the current study, ENO1 was highly expressed in CRC cells. Knockdown of ENO1 markedly reduced the glycolysis and accelerated the ferroptosis in CRC cells. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of WZB117, a specific inhibitor of glycolysis-related glucose transporter type 1, on CRC cell proliferation were further enhanced by ENO1 interference. In addition, silencing of ENO1 inactivated the AKT/STAT3 signaling. The AKT activator SC79 partially reversed the effects of ENO1 deficiency on the AKT/STAT3 signaling, glycolysis, proliferation as well as ferroptosis in CRC cells. In summary, inactivation of AKT/STAT3 signaling mediated by ENO1 inhibition might boost the ferroptosis and suppress the glycolysis in CRC cells.

Regulation of ferroptosis by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: a promising therapeutic axis in cancer

The global challenge posed by cancer, marked by rising incidence and mortality rates, underscores the urgency for innovative therapeutic approaches. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, frequently amplified in various cancers, is central in regulating essential cellular processes. Its dysregulation, often stemming from genetic mutations, significantly contributes to cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. Concurrently, ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent processes and lipid reactive oxygen species buildup, holds implications for diseases, including cancer. Exploring the interplay between the dysregulated PI3K/Akt pathway and ferroptosis unveils potential insights into the molecular mechanisms driving or inhibiting ferroptotic processes in cancer cells. Evidence suggests that inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway may sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis induction, offering a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of this interplay, shedding light on the potential for disrupting the PI3K/Akt pathway to enhance ferroptosis as an alternative route for inducing cell death and improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Trial watch: local anesthetics in cancer therapy

Preclinical evidence indicates potent antitumor properties of local anesthetics. Numerous underlying mechanisms explaining such anticancer effects have been identified, suggesting direct cytotoxic as well as indirect immunemediated effects that together reduce the proliferative, invasive and migratory potential of malignant cells. Although some retrospective and correlative studies support these findings, prospective randomized controlled trials have not yet fully confirmed the antineoplastic activity of local anesthetics, likely due to the intricate methodology required for mitigating confounding factors. This trial watch aims at compiling all published preclinical and clinical research, along with completed and ongoing trials, that explore the potential antitumor effects of local anesthetics.

Current and Potential Roles of Ferroptosis in Bladder Cancer

Ferroptosis, a type of regulated cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is mainly initiated by extramitochondrial lipid peroxidation due to the accumulation of iron-dependent reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis is a prevalent and primitive form of cell death. Numerous cellular metabolic processes regulate ferroptosis, including redox homeostasis, iron regulation, mitochondrial activity, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and various disease-related signaling pathways. Ferroptosis plays a pivotal role in cancer therapy, particularly in the eradication of aggressive malignancies resistant to conventional treatments. Multiple studies have explored the connection between ferroptosis and bladder cancer, focusing on its incidence and treatment outcomes. Several biomolecules and tumor-associated signaling pathways, such as p53, heat shock protein 1, nuclear receptor coactivator 4, RAS-RAF-MEK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin, and the Hippo-tafazzin signaling system, exert a moderating influence on ferroptosis in bladder cancer. Ferroptosis inducers, including erastin, artemisinin, conjugated polymer nanoparticles, and quinazolinyl-arylurea derivatives, hold promise for enhancing the effectiveness of conventional anticancer medications in bladder cancer treatment. Combining conventional therapeutic drugs and treatment methods related to ferroptosis offers a promising approach for the treatment of bladder cancer. In this review, we analyze the research on ferroptosis to augment the efficacy of bladder cancer treatment.

Ferroptosis Inducers as Promising Radiosensitizer Agents in Cancer Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT) failure has historically been mostly attributed to radioresistance. Ferroptosis is a type of controlled cell death that depends on iron and is caused by polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidative damage. Utilizing a ferroptosis inducer may be a successful tactic for preventing tumor growth and radiotherapy-induced cell death. A regulated form of cell death known as ferroptosis is caused by the peroxidation of phospholipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids in an iron-dependent manner (PUFA-PLs). The ferroptosis pathway has a number of important regulators. By regulating the formation of PUFA-PLs, the important lipid metabolism enzyme ACSL4 promotes ferroptosis, whereas SLC7A11 and (glutathione peroxidase 4) GPX4 prevent ferroptosis. In addition to introducing the ferroptosis inducer chemicals that have recently been demonstrated to have a radiosensitizer effect, this review highlights the function and methods by which ferroptosis contributes to RT-induced cell death and tumor suppression in vitro and in vivo.

Ferroptosis: An Emerging Target for Bladder Cancer Therapy

Bladder cancer (BC), as one of the main urological cancers in the world, possesses the abilities of multiple-drug resistance and metastasis. However, there remains a significant gap in the understanding and advancement of prognosis and therapeutic strategies for BC. Ferroptosis, a novel type of iron-dependent regulated cell death, depends on lipid peroxidation, which has been proven to have a strong correlation with the development and treatment of BC. Its mechanism mainly includes three pathways, namely, lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant system, and the iron overload pathway. In this review, we reviewed the mechanism of ferroptosis, along with the related therapeutic targets and drugs for BC, as it might become a new anticancer treatment in the future.

Matrine Alleviates Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Injury by Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Apoptosis

Matrine is a Sophora alkaloid that exerts antitumor effects on a variety of diseases, but few studies have investigated the role of matrine in sepsis-induced myocardial injury. In the present study, we investigated the effects of matrine on septic myocardial injury and the potential mechanisms. Network pharmacology approaches were used to predict the targets of matrine in the treatment of sepsis-induced myocardial injury. A mouse sepsis-induced myocardial injury model was established to determine the effect of matrine. Mouse cardiac function was evaluated by ultrasonography, and cardiac morphology and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were evaluated by HE and TUNEL staining. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring ROS levels and MDA and SOD activity. Bax, Bcl2, GPX4, ACSL4, PI3K, and AKT protein levels were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Bioinformatics analysis identified that the potential therapeutic effect of matrine on sepsis-induced myocardial injury is closely related to ferroptosis and apoptosis regulation and showed significant involvement of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In vivo, the matrine group showed improved myocardial function, morphology, and apoptosis ratio and alleviated oxidative stress compared with the LPS group, whereas 25 mg/kg matrine exerted the optimal inhibitory effect. Matrine alleviated LPS-induced cardiomyocyte ferroptosis and apoptosis, resulting in upregulation of Bax/Bcl2 and GPX4 expression and downregulation of ferroptosis marker protein (ACSL4) expression, as shown by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Moreover, matrine increased PI3K/AKT pathway-related molecule expression and thus modulated ferroptosis and apoptosis. Matrine regulates PI3K/AKT pathway activity to inhibit apoptosis and ferroptosis and thereby alleviates sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

Predicting Survival Signature of Bladder Cancer Related to Cancer-Associated Fibroblast (CAF) Constructed by Intersecting Genes in TCGA and GEO

Bladder cancer was one of the most common carcinomas around the world. However, the mechanism of the disease still remained to be investigated. We expected to establish a prognostic survival model with 9 prognostic genes to predict overall survival (OS) in patients of bladder cancer. The gene expression data of bladder cancer were obtained from TCGA and GEO datasets. TCGA and GEO datasets were used for screening prognostic genes along with developing and validating a 9-gene prognostic survival model by method of weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and LASSO with Cox regression. The relative analysis of evaluate tumor burden mutation (TBM), GO, KEGG, chemotherapy drug and functional pathway were also performed based on CAF-related mRNAs. 151 Overlapping CAF-related genes were distinguished after intersecting differentially expressed genes from 945 genes in TCGA and 491 genes in GEO dataset. 9 Prognostic genes (MSRB2, AGMAT, KLF6, DDAH2, GADD45B, SERPINE2, STMN3, TEAD2, and COMP) were used for construction of prognostic model after LASSO with Cox regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed a good survival prediction by this model. Functional analysis indicated chemokine, cytokine, ECM interaction, oxidative stress and apoptosis were highly appeared. Potential drugs targeted different CAF-related genes like vemurafenib, irofulven, ghiotepa, and idarubicin were found as well. We constructed a novel 9 CAF-related mRNAs prognostic model and explored the gene expression and potential functional information of related genes, which might be worthy of clinical application. In addition, potential chemotherapy drugs could provide useful insights into the potential clinical treatment of bladder cancer.

CDK2 and CDK4 targeted liensinine inhibits the growth of bladder cancer T24 cells

Bladder cancer (BCa) is a urinary tumor with limited treatment options and high mortality. Liensinine (LIEN), a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, has shown excellent anti-tumor effects in numerous preclinical studies. However, the anti-BCa effect of LIEN remains unclear. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the molecular mechanism of LIEN in the management of BCa. First, we identified the treatment-related targets of BCa; those that repeatedly occur in more than two databases, including GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, DisGeNET, Therapeutic Target Database, and Drugbank. The SwissTarget database was used to screen LIEN-related targets, and those with a probability >0 were possible LIEN targets. The prospective targets of LIEN in the treatment of BCa were then determined using a Venn diagram. Second, we discovered that the PI3K/AKT pathway and senescence mediated the anti-BCa action of LIEN by using GO and KEGG enrichment analysis to explore the function of LIEN therapeutic targets. A protein-protein interaction network was created using the String website, and six algorithms of the CytoHubba plug-in were then used in Cytoscape to assess the core targets of LIEN for the therapy of BCa. The outcomes of molecular docking and dynamics simulation demonstrated that CDK2 and CDK4 proteins were the direct targets of LIEN in the management of BCa, among which CDK2 was more stable in binding to LIEN than CDK4. Finally, in vitro experiments showed that LIEN inhibited the activity and proliferation of T24 cells. The expression of p-/AKT, CDK2, and CDK4 proteins progressively decreased, while the expression and fluorescence intensity of the senescence-related protein, γH2AX, gradually increased with increasing LIEN concentration in T24 cells. Therefore, our data suggest that LIEN may promote senescence and inhibit proliferation by inhibiting the CDK2/4 and PI3K/AKT pathways in BCa.

The Bladder Tumor Microenvironment Components That Modulate the Tumor and Impact Therapy

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is complex and involves many different cell types that seemingly work together in helping cancer cells evade immune monitoring and survive therapy. The advent of single-cell sequencing has greatly increased our knowledge of the cell types present in the tumor microenvironment and their role in the developing cancer. This, coupled with clinical data showing that cancer development and the response to therapy may be influenced by drugs that indirectly influence the tumor environment, highlights the need to better understand how the cells present in the TME work together. This review looks at the different cell types (cancer cells, cancer stem cells, endothelial cells, pericytes, adipose cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and neuronal cells) in the bladder tumor microenvironment. Their impact on immune activation and on shaping the microenvironment are discussed as well as the effects of hypertensive drugs and anesthetics on bladder cancer.

Ferroptosis as a potential target for cancer therapy

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered essential type of cell death that is mainly characterized by iron overload and lipid peroxidation. Emerging evidence suggests that ferroptosis is a double-edged sword in human cancer. However, the precise underlying molecular mechanisms and their differential roles in tumorigenesis are unclear. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and briefly present the key pathways of ferroptosis, paying special attention to the regulation of ferroptosis as well as its dual role as an oncogenic and as a tumor suppressor event in various human cancers. Moreover, multiple pharmacological ferroptosis activators are summarized, and the prospect of targeting ferroptosis in cancer therapy is further elucidated.

Mitochondrial Regulation of Ferroptosis in Cancer Therapy

Ferroptosis, characterized by glutamate overload, glutathione depletion, and cysteine/cystine deprivation during iron- and oxidative-damage-dependent cell death, is a particular mode of regulated cell death. It is expected to effectively treat cancer through its tumor-suppressor function, as mitochondria are the intracellular energy factory and a binding site of reactive oxygen species production, closely related to ferroptosis. This review summarizes relevant research on the mechanisms of ferroptosis, highlights mitochondria's role in it, and collects and classifies the inducers of ferroptosis. A deeper understanding of the relationship between ferroptosis and mitochondrial function may provide new strategies for tumor treatment and drug development based on ferroptosis.

Vancomycin Induced Ferroptosis in Renal Injury Through the Inactivation of Recombinant Glutathione Peroxidase 4 and the Accumulation of Peroxides

Background

Vancomycin (VCM) has long been used clinically to fight against Gram-positive bacterial infections. In recent decades, an increased number of kidney injury cases caused by VCM overdose have been reported. In this study, we further investigated the mechanism of VCM-overdose-induced kidney injury.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, RT-qPCR and Western blot assays were used to determine ki67, DDX5, PTGS2, GPX4 and SLC7A11 expressions in the kidney tissues of mice. CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were used to determine HK2 cell viability and apoptosis. In addition, RT-qPCR and Western blot assays was applied to evaluate the expressions of ACSL4, PTGS2, GPX4, SLC7A11, DDX5 and Ki67 in HK2 cells.

Results

We found that VCM induced ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) is a potent inhibitor of ferroptosis, Fer-1 rescued cell viability and renal function renal morphology in VCM-treated cells and mice, respectively. Further, GPX4, which plays an essential role in reducing lipid hydroperoxides and preventing ferroptosis, was observed to be downregulated by VCM treatment. Interestingly, we found that GPX4-knockdown HK-2 cells exhibited a similar phenotype and gene expression level of ACSL4, PTGS2, DDX5 and Ki67 compared with VCM-treated cells, which suggested that VCM could induce ferroptosis in HK2 cells by down-regulating GPX4.

Conclusion

In conclusion, VCM induced renal injury in the kidney tissues of mice. In addition, VCM induced ferroptosis cell death in HK-2 cells and in the kidney tissues of mice by down-regulating GPX4 and causing the accumulation of peroxides. These data suggested that VCM could induce renal injury in vitro and in vivo via triggering ferroptosis. This study further elucidates the mechanism of VCM-induced renal injury and provides additional references for clinical use of VCM.

Depletion of PSMD14 suppresses bladder cancer proliferation by regulating GPX4

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of deubiquitinase (DUB) 26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 14 (PSMD14) in patients with bladder cancer.

Methods

From 2016 to 2018, 181 patients diagnosed with primary bladder cancer at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were recruited. The expression of PSMD14 in bladder cancer tissues was tested by immunochemistry. The association between PSMD14 expression and clinical and pathological data and outcomes of bladder cancer patients was determined. Overexpression and knockdown cells were constructed to evaluate the effects of PSMD14 on proliferation of bladder cancer cells.

Results

Our results showed that PSMD14 was significantly overexpressed in bladder cancer tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues (76.24% vs 23.76%, P = 0.02). The expression of PSMD14 was significantly higher in patients with larger tumor diameters (85.14% vs 70.09%, P = 0.019) and patients with a family history of cancer (92.16% vs 70.00%, P = 0.002). Patients with high expression of PSMD14 had poor disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 2.89, 95% CI [1.247-6.711], P = 0.013). Gain and loss of function experiments demonstrated that PSMD14 deficiency inhibited bladder cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, depletion of PSMD14 suppressed bladder cancer cell growth via down-regulation of GPX4, and the promotion of PSMD14-induced cell growth was observably reversed by the GPX4 inhibitor RSL3.

Conclusion

We determined that PSMD14 is highly expressed in bladder cancer tissues, and that PSMD14 expression correlated with poor disease-free survival. Depletion of PSMD14 could inhibit the proliferation of bladder cancer cells through the downregulation of GPX4. Therefore, PSMD14 may be an effective target for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Glutathione S-transferase zeta 1 alters the HMGB1/GPX4 axis to drive ferroptosis in bladder cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

The ability of glutathione S-transferase zeta 1 (GSTZ1) to modulate homeostasis of cellular redox and induce ferroptosis was explored in bladder cancer cells, and the involvement of the high mobility group protein 1/glutathione peroxidase 4 (HMGB1/GPX4) in these effects was studied.

METHODS

BIU-87 cells stably overexpressing GSTZ1 were transfected with appropriate plasmids to deplete HMGB1 or overexpress GPX4, then treated with deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1. Antiproliferative effects were assessed by quantifying levels of ferroptosis markers, such as iron, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), GPX4, transferrin, and ferritin.

RESULTS

GSTZ1 was significantly downregulated in bladder cancer cells. GSTZ1 overexpression downregulated GPX4 and GSH, while greatly increasing levels of iron, MDA, ROS, and transferrin. GSTZ1 overexpression also decreased proliferation of BIU-87 cells and activated HMGB1/GPX4 signaling. The effects of GSTZ1 on ferroptosis and proliferation were antagonized by HMGB1 knockdown or GPX4 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

GSTZ1 induces ferroptotic cell death and alters cellular redox homeostasis in bladder cancer cells, and these effects involve activation of the HMGB1/GPX4 axis.

miR-21-5p Inhibits Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Regulating the AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway through MELK

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers, and its incidence rate is increasing worldwide. At present, there is no ideal treatment for HCC. In recent years, molecular-targeted therapy has shown significant therapeutic benefits for patients. Ferroptosis is a modality of regulated cell death, and previous studies have found that inducing ferroptosis in liver cancer cells can inhibit the progression of liver cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory mechanism of miR-21-5p in regulating ferroptosis in HCC cells.

Methods

CCK-8 was used to measure cell viability, EdU and colony formation were used to measure cell proliferation, and Transwell assays were used to measure cell migration and invasion. RT-qPCR was used to detect the level of miR-21-5p, Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression level, a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to determine the targeting relationship between miR-21-5p and MELK, and coimmunoprecipitation was used to determine the interaction between MELK and AKT.

Results

Overexpression of miR-21-5p and MELK facilitated the viability, proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration of HCC cells. Downregulation of miR-21-5p suppressed the level of MELK and the progression of HCC. MELK regulated the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, causing changes in the levels of GPX4, GSH, FTH1, xCT, heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), reactive oxygen species, and Fe²⁺ to regulate the ferroptosis of hepatoma cells. Erastin, an inducer of ferroptosis, attenuated the repressive influence of miR-21-5p on ferroptosis in HCC cells.

Conclusion

In summary, this study demonstrates that miR-21-5p inhibits the ferroptosis of HCC cells by regulating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway through MELK.

Modulation of the p38 MAPK Pathway by Anisomycin Promotes Ferroptosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Phosphorylation of H3S10

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Ferroptosis is emerging as an effective target for tumor treatment as it has been shown to potentiate cell death in some malignancies. However, it remains unclear whether histone phosphorylation events, an epigenetic mechanism that regulates transcriptional expression, are involved in ferroptosis. Our study found that supplementation with anisomycin, an agonist of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), induced ferroptosis in HCC cells, and the phosphorylation of histone H3 on serine 10 (p-H3S10) was participated in anisomycin-induced ferroptosis. To investigate the anticancer effects of anisomycin-activated p38 MAPK in HCC, we analyzed cell viability, colony formation, cell death, and cell migration in Hep3B and HCCLM3 cells. The results showed that anisomycin could significantly suppress HCC cell colony formation and migration and induce HCC cell death. The hallmarks of ferroptosis, such as abnormal accumulation of iron and elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde, were detected to confirm the ability of anisomycin to promote ferroptosis. Furthermore, coincubation with SB203580, an inhibitor of activated p38 MAPK, partially rescued anisomycin-induced ferroptosis. And the levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-H3S10 were successively increased by anisomycin treatment. The relationship between p-H3S10 and ferroptosis was revealed by ChIP sequencing. The reverse transcription PCR and immunofluorescence results showed that NCOA4 was upregulated both in mRNA and protein levels after anisomycin treatment. And by C11-BODIPY staining, we found that anisomycin-induced lipid reactive oxygen species was reduced after NCOA4 knockdown. In conclusion, the anisomycin-activated p38 MAPK promoted ferroptosis of HCC cells through H3S10 phosphorylation.

Ferroptosis: A new therapeutic target for bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most frequent type of urinary system cancer. The prognosis of BC is poor due to high metastasis rates and multidrug resistance. Hence, development of novel therapies targeting BC cell death is urgently needed. As a novel cell death type with strong antitumor potential, ferroptosis has been investigated by many groups for its potential in BC treatment. As an iron-dependent cell death process, ferroptosis is characterized by excessive oxidative phospholipids. The molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis include iron overload and the system Xc-GSH-GPX4 signaling pathway. A recent study revealed that ferroptosis is involved in the metastasis, treatment, and prognosis of BC. Herein, in this review, we comprehensively summarize the mechanism of ferroptosis, address newly identified targets involved in ferroptosis, and discuss the potential of new clinical therapies targeting ferroptosis in BC.

The effect of narcotics on ferroptosis-related molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways

Ferroptosis is a novel programmed cell death form characterized by iron-mediated reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxidation and subsequent cell damage that is distinct from apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy. Most studies on ferroptosis are based on its function and mechanism, but there have been relatively few studies on the effects of drugs, especially anaesthetics, on ferroptosis. Therefore, we summarized the recent literature on the effects of anaesthetics on ferroptosis to understand the underlying mechanism. In particular, we focused on the targets of various anaesthetics in different mechanisms of ferroptosis and the effects of ferroptosis induction or inhibition by narcotics on various diseases. The aims of this review are to provide a relatively reasonable drug regimen for clinicians, to explore potential ferroptosis protection drugs and targets, to reduce perioperative complications and to improve the postoperative performance of patients, especially those who are critically ill.

Curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers: Therapeutic targets, challenges and prospects

Urological cancers include bladder, prostate and renal cancers that can cause death in males and females. Patients with urological cancers are mainly diagnosed at an advanced disease stage when they also develop resistance to therapy or poor response. The use of natural products in the treatment of urological cancers has shown a significant increase. Curcumin has been widely used in cancer treatment due to its ability to trigger cell death and suppress metastasis. The beneficial effects of curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers is the focus of current review. Curcumin can induce apoptosis in the three types of urological cancers limiting their proliferative potential. Furthermore, curcumin can suppress invasion of urological cancers through EMT inhibition. Notably, curcumin decreases the expression of MMPs, therefore interfering with urological cancer metastasis. When used in combination with chemotherapy agents, curcumin displays synergistic effects in suppressing cancer progression. It can also be used as a chemosensitizer. Based on pre-clinical studies, curcumin administration is beneficial in the treatment of urological cancers and future clinical applications might be considered upon solving problems related to the poor bioavailability of the compound. To improve the bioavailability of curcumin and increase its therapeutic index in urological cancer suppression, nanostructures have been developed to favor targeted delivery.

Synthesis, Molecular Docking, In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Novel Dimorpholinoquinazoline-Based Potential Inhibitors of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway

A (series) range of potential dimorpholinoquinazoline-based inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade was synthesized. Several compounds exhibited cytotoxicity towards a panel of cancer cell lines in the low and sub-micromolar range. Compound 7c with the highest activity and moderate selectivity towards MCF7 cells which express the mutant type of PI3K was also tested for the ability to inhibit PI3K-(signaling pathway) downstream effectors and associated proteins. Compound 7c inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR, and S6K at 125–250 nM. It also triggered PARP1 cleavage, ROS production, and cell death via several mechanisms. Inhibition of PI3Kα was observed at a concentration of 7b 50 µM and of 7c 500 µM and higher, that can indicate minority PI3Kα as a target among other kinases in the titled cascade for 7c. In vivo studies demonstrated an inhibition of tumor growth in the colorectal tumor model. According to the docking studies, the replacement of the triazine core in gedatolisib (8) by a quinazoline fragment, and incorporation of a (hetero)aromatic unit connected with the carbamide group via a flexible spacer, can result in more selective inhibition of the PI3Kα isoform.

Ferroptosis-induced anticancer effect of resveratrol with a biomimetic nano-delivery system in colorectal cancer treatment

Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death impelled by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, which may be a potential strategy for cancer therapy. Here we demonstrated for the first time that Resveratrol (RSV), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) chemical monomer, could effectually inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells through the ROS-dependent ferroptosis pathway. Mechanistically, RSV evoked the increase of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in colorectal cancer cells, and eventually lead to ferroptosis. Furthermore, RSV could promote ferroptosis by downregulating the expression of the channel protein solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). To improve the delivery efficiency of RSV, a biomimetic nanocarrier was developed by coating RSV-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-PEG) nanoparticles with erythrocyte membrane (RSV-NPs@RBCm). The RSV-NPs@RBCm provide the possibility to escape macrophage phagocytosis and have a long circulation effect. In addition, when coupled with a tumor-penetrating peptide iRGD, which could trigger enhanced tissue penetration tumor-specifically, the delivery of RSV-NPs@RBCm into tumors would be significantly improved results from the in vivo study demonstrated an excellent treatment efficacy for CRC. Altogether, our study highlighted the therapeutic potential of RSV as a ferroptosis-inducing anticancer agent and when loaded into a biomimetic nanoplatform, it might pave the way for the application of RSV loaded nanosystems for colorectal cancer treatment.

In addition to its endosomal escape effect, platycodin D also synergizes with ribosomal inactivation protein to induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells through AKT and MAPK signaling pathways

Efficient endosomal escape after cellular uptake is a major challenge for the clinical application of therapeutic proteins. To overcome this obstacle, several strategies have been used to help protein drugs escape from endosomes without affecting the integrity of the cell membrane. Among them, some triterpenoid saponins with special structures were used to greatly enhance the anti-tumor therapeutic effect of protein toxins. Herein, we demonstrated that platycodin D (PD), polygalacin D (PGD) and platycodin D2 (PD2) from Platycodonis Radix significantly enhanced the ability of MHBP (a type I ribosome-inactivating protein toxin MAP30 fused with a cell-penetrating peptide HBP) to induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Based on the results of co-localization of endocytosed EGFP-HBP with a lysosomal probe and Galectin-9 vesicle membrane damage sensor, we demonstrated that PD, PGD and PD2 have the ability to promote endosomal escape of endocytic proteins without affecting the integrity of the plasma membrane. Meanwhile, we observed that cholesterol metabolism plays an important role in the activity of PD by RNA-seq analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and confirm that PD, PGD and PD2 enhance the anti-tumor activity of MHBP by inducing the redistribution of free cholesterol and inhibiting the activity of cathepsin B and cathepsin D. Finally, we found that PD synergized with MHBP to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis through inhibiting Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and activating JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. This study provides new insights into the application of PD in cancer therapy and provides efficient and promising strategies for the cytosolic delivery of therapeutic proteins.